The meeting was opened with Gene Kirkland giving the
treasurerís report. We had an opening balance of $7,358.33. Expenses were
$61.69. Income was $6.75 for a closing balance of $7,303.39. The CAPT Challenge
remained unchanged at $6,535.00, as did our membership 169. Gene said he has a
new printer who is doing a good job on the CAPT newsletter. Gene said we should
probably not change our web-site host at the present time. It was decided to
carry over any decision about that until the next meeting.

Gene said with limited storage space available on the
lay-up track in Charlotte it was decided
to maximize the revenue carrying capacity of the trains. The third frequency Charlotte
to Raleigh train will have a
combined baggage/food service car. The "Piedmont"
will eventually receive the same treatment, which will allow for an extra
revenue passenger car. A departure for the 3rd frequency train is tentatively
set for about 12 to 12:30 PM from both cities. Gene said a siding
at the Salisbury station for the projected
Asheville service should be built
this summer.

Martin reported the latest news concerning the TTA
Raleigh/Durham commuter rail service and regarding progress on our S.C.
passenger train resolution drive. Martin reported that Allan Paul believed
NCDOT should have an agreement with Greyhound to move their bus terminal to a
new location so that the site could to cleared from
the proposed Charlotte multimodal
terminal. The agreement could be made by this Oct. or Nov.

Martin said NCDOT and the FTA have not agreed about which
tracks the passenger platforms should be built. FTA has suggested building a
freight bypass around the east side of the Charlotte
yard. Martin said the Lynx Blue Line light rail extensions environmental impact
statement should be 90% complete in a few months. CATS hopes to finish engineering
work on the extension by 2010, and start service on the line by 2015. The
on-time performance has been 99% on the new light rail since it opened. 4 new
light rail cars of the same design and builder have been placed on order for
delivery by Mar. 2010.

Don Stewart talked about the CAPT brochure. He said he
hopes to have the project completed within 90 days. Don said he is hoping
Congress will pass some kind of Amtrak funding legislation before adjournment.
Senator Durbin (IL) has introduced a bill that would provide funding for new U.S.
made rail passenger cars and to study electrification.

Our next meeting will be our annual general membership
meeting on Oct. 11th. Plans are to hold it somewhere in S.C., with the exact
location to be announced. The following meeting scheduled for Dec. 13th might
also be in S.C., depending on the S.C. legislature, it was announced.